Electrical connector

Abstract

According to the present invention there is provided a modified stamped sheet metal connector comprising an enhanced cylindrical housing having an entry end aperture and an exit end aperture. The entry end aperture can accept the snap-in spring steel adapter of U.S. Pat. No. 6,080,933 as well as the exit end peripheral spring steel locking ring described in this patent to provide a connector that allows rapid and simplified installation of armored cable into a junction or circuit box. The improved cylindrical housing also includes about the periphery of the exit end a serrated finish to inhibit turning of the spring steel adapter, an additional aperture in the cylindrical housing in the area of the entry end for facilitating removal of the entry end snap-in spring steel retainer and an alternative internal flange system for retention of the spring steel adapter.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for fabricating a cylindrical housing for a snap in cable connector from a sheet metal blank comprising: 
       1) stamping the sheet metal blank to form a first cup about 1½ inches in diameter and ¾ of an inch tall;  
       2) drawing the first cup further to form a second cup about 1 inch tall and 1 inch in diameter;  
       3) drawing the second cup yet further to form a third cup having a bottom diameter of about {fraction (31/32)} of an inch, a top diameter of about 1⅛ inches and a height of about 1{fraction (13/32)} inches;  
       4) drawing the third cup to form a fourth cup having a height of about 1¾ inches and a bottom diameter of about {fraction (25/32)} of an inch;  
       5) drawing the fourth cup to form a fifth cup having a diameter of about ¾ of an inch with a slight taper toward the bottom of the cup;  
       6) striking the fifth cup to extend its height about {fraction (1/16)} of an inch and punch out an about {fraction (17/64)} of an inch hole in the bottom thereof to form a first cylinder having a bottom end in the area of said punched out hole and a generally rectangular top end about 1⅛ inches across;  
       7) trimming said generally rectangular top end of said fifth cup to form a product cylinder to a generally round end having a {fraction (31/32)} of an inch in diameter with one flat side;  
       8) striking the product cylinder of step  7  to form  
       A) an approximately 1 inch in diameter peripheral rim having a depth of about {fraction (3/32)} of an inch about the approximate middle third of said cylinder and  
       B) an about {fraction (1/16)} of an inch spherical depression in said bottom end;  
       9) shortening the product cylinder of step  8  to a height of about 1{fraction (27/64)} of an inch;  
       10) striking the product cylinder of step  9  to form an approximately {fraction (53/64)} of an inch in diameter by {fraction (3/32)} of an inch thick peripheral ring about the outside of said bottom end;  
       11) cutting a pair of 180° displaced cutouts about ⅜ of an inch long in the wall of the product cylinder of step  10 ;  
       12) punching or cutting an access aperture in the wall of the cylinder product of step  11  spaced about 90° about the periphery from said cutouts; and  
       13) punching a {fraction (17/32)} of an inch hole in said cylinder bottom and flattening said cylinder bottom.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein said sheet metal blank is sheet steel having a diameter of about 2¾ inches and a thickness of about 0.40 inches. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein said steel blank is zinc coated.